(FAQ) Can you get hurt playing pool?

Just watching people play pool, anyone could be forgiven if he thinks that is a safe sport. It certainly appears to be free of the personal injury dangers that plague other sports like football, basketball, rugby, even curling.

The only possible exceptions would be intentional efforts such as using cues as a club or spear or the balls being throws with vicious intentions. This is how bar fights are often depicted in bars when low-life extras are insulted by the hero. (And by the way, the hand chop that breaks a cue in half – that is entirely faked.)

But that is not the only way in which injuries can occur. Here are some examples:

On the break, the cue ball flies off the table.

Scratches from protrusions in pockets and from damaged table trim.

Hitting your stick hand on the rail during a full follow-through stroke.

Someone tossing the ball to you instead of dropping it into your hand.

Getting jabbed in the body when passing too close to the shooter already bent over on a stroke.

Getting tapped on the head by a stick when the player suddenly turns in place without paying attention.

Extending yourself for a long reach shot over the table, then raising yourself up too quick to connect your head with the table lights (common problem for most tall shooters).

When stretching too far and trying to keep one foot on the floor, and your foot slips.

Attempts at juggling with the pool balls.

Never underestimate the ability for careless people to invent new ways to cause personal injury.